Is a Welcome Dinner expected?

[anichols8]

Hey, I think the wedding cocktails are a great idea!

[mrsbruff2b]

How are some of you holding your "cocktail hour" in the lobbies of your hotel?  Are you just showing up in the lobby with booze? 

[Bruuning17]

I think we are doing at least a welcome cocktail hour.  We want to spend as much time with our guests as possible, and I think this is a nice way to start the festivities!  Then, we are thinking of doing some type of welcome excursion the first full day that people are there. 

[cdc150]

we plan on doing welcome cocktails as well.  we are hoping to get enough rooms booked for a free cocktail hour

[Coco YUL]

Will do a cocktail hour in the lobby so everybody can meet... and maybe go to the buffet after if they want... I understand that it's our DW but still they are spending money to be on vacation too so if they want to be alone, it's fine with me

[JessX823]

We're doing a welcome dinner at our AI resort.  I opted to pay extra for a semi-private dinner at one of the resort's restaurants.  I've read from other posts that some brides wished they did reserve a dinner rather than just having everyone show up at once to avoid problems with staff and slow dinner service.  It's $20 per person but I think it's worth it to make sure that everyone has a great dinner and service.  

[Aruba Bride]

 I think a "welcome cocktail" is a great idea! We decided to have a welcome dinner two days before the wedding instead of a rehearsal dinner.

[traceysteve]

That's what I was planning on doing, there are about 10 people staying in timeshares. Unfortunately, nobody at the RIU has bothered to email me back. And, I guess to make things worse, we're not getting married there, so I don't even have an 'in'. I do like the idea of cocktails though, That way everyone can come or go as they please.
 

Originally Posted by JessX823 

We're doing a welcome dinner at our AI resort.  I opted to pay extra for a semi-private dinner at one of the resort's restaurants.  I've read from other posts that some brides wished they did reserve a dinner rather than just having everyone show up at once to avoid problems with staff and slow dinner service.  It's $20 per person but I think it's worth it to make sure that everyone has a great dinner and service.  

 

[Mmack]

Not really necessary

[cbandemer]

I was thinking of doing just a gathering in the lobby. Do you think the hotel would mind if 100+ showed up and just over took everything. I just dont want to have to pay more money for a private welcome dinner. If our group wasnt as large I wouldnt care but it gets expensive.